What we offer on a school trip

Located in the South Downs National Park the Sustainability Centre is set in 55 acres of woodlands and grassland above the village of East Meon. We are an Eco Centre and an Education Centre and have been welcoming schools to the site for over 10 years. Some areas of the site are dedicated to conservation whilst others are part of the working centre which includes a restaurant, classrooms, greenwood working business and camping and lodge accommodation. The Centre offers a variety of educational activities that promote sustainable living and green issues in an inspiring yet tranquil setting. We work closely with schools to ensure we provide a trip of value for a wide variety of groups size, ages and length of stay.

We offer a hands on trip that enhances your eco topic and brings the subject alive. If you are looking for a visit to enliven a classroom project we can help to arrange a thought provoking trip that will provide lasting memories for the children. Learners can explore a round wood build, see a straw bale building, build a solar powered lego car, become attuned to the Forest and learn bush craft skills or visit our local farm. There are lots of options within the teachers pack on our website including our Saxons in the Meon Valley history topic. On an overnight trip or a week long residential pupils will have a chance to gain a broader understanding of sustainable living by staying and enjoying activities on our site or take advantage of our South Downs Experience package focus on this area of the South Downs National Park.

What makes us a great choice for education?

We have 17 years of experience providing engaging and inspiring activities to schools with fabulous hands – on, eco focused activities and learning. We are in an outstandingly beautiful location within the South Downs National Park and on a residential stay there are opportunities for camping and staying in our eco - lodge. Curriculum - linked activities all support learning about sustainable living and green issues. This is a trip of value for a wide variety of group size, age and length of stay. This is a really great place for children and young people of all ages to learn about sustainable living and get involved for a day or for a week.

Accreditation and Awards

What is typically included on our school trips?

On a typical day visit learners will undertake a variety of activities and all will be led by our staff and will have an eco - focus. Classrooms will be available for teaching in poor weather. Pupils will have an outdoor hands –on experience and a safe, dry space to eat their lunch. Typically a day visit will last from 10 am – 2.30pm.

Examples of Topic options include: • Food and Farming study on a trailer tractor ride over the Downs, • Alternative technologies and Sustainable buildings, Waste and Recycling and Water Conservation, • Habitat studies and Eco Exploration, Saxons in the Meon Valley and Bushcraft and Wilderness Skills.

Secondary schools also have the option of a River Studies Day.

We tailor our visits and send you an itinerary before the visit.Residential schools and groups can browse our website to discover what the venue looks like, what projects we have in progress, and what activities we can offer on a longer stay.

Group Sizes Catered For

We can cater for up to 60 pupils per day and we will often split the class into groups for activities during the day. The itinerary will provide teachers with information about the groups and the timings for the activities.

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

When you book with the Education Officer you will be able to discuss your topics, talk about a programme from the activities offered to suit your learners and make a free pre visit to the site to find out what is offered and familiarise yourself with the site.

You will be provided with risk assessments from the Centre on request and some pre-visit information sheets.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

Risk Assessment Details

Teachers will be provided with relevant written risk assessments on request which are designed to help with the schools own risk assessment for the trip. A pre-visit to the Centre is highly recommended for day visits as it also helps teachers to appreciate the nature of the site and its suitability for their learners.

First Aid Information

There is good First Aid cover on site and all the Education leaders are First Aid Qualified. For residential visits we expect that qualified First Aid staff come with the school for non- guided periods.

Available Facilities

The Centre provides classroom facilities for eating packed lunches and there is a small shop where recycled pencils, small gifts and postcards can be purchased. A visit to the shop needs to be booked in advance.

Other Information

The Centre carries a special message for all guests, which is to learn something about earth care during the visit. This may be anything from looking after the campsite where your tent is pitched to visiting the compost toilet or recycling your lunch box waste back at school. This is a working site and this is one of the special features that visitors appreciate.

We'd love to hear your feedback!

Thank you for using the UK School Trips website. We hope you have found it useful. We are continually working hard to improve the quality of the site and its functionality and would be very pleased to receive any feedback on the site or our service to you.